The Sapphires leads AACTA nominations

The Sapphires has led the Academy of Australian Cinema and Television Arts Awards nominations being nominated in 12 categories.

Awards will be handed out over two events, with an awards luncheon, focused on craft categories on Monday January 28 and the main event on January 30. Both events will be held at the Star Event Centre, the first public events for the venue.

The Sapphires, distributed by Hopscotch/eOne has been nominated for Best Film, Best Direction for Wayne Blair and best adapted screenplay for Tony Briggs and Keith Thompson as well as Best Lead Actor and Actress for Chris O’Dowd and Deborah Mailman, and Best Supporting Actress for Jessica Mauboy.

Burning Man was not far behind on 10 nominations including best film and best direction as well as best lead actor for Matthew Goode and Best Supporting Actress for Essie Davis.

Three more films, Lore, Mental and Wish You Were Here received eight nominations while Not Suitable For Children received four.

Meanwhile, in the television categories, Ten’s Puberty Blues lead the awards nominations, nominated in six categories including best TV drama series and numerous best acting nominations. Nine’s Howzat! Kerry Packer’s War and ABC’s Redfern Now both received five nominations including best drama series, and best screenplay in TV while A Moody Christmas had three; best TV comedy series, best screenplay in Television and best Performance in a tv comedy for Patrick Brammal.

A new category has been added this year, best reality TV series. The nominees are Seven’s The Amazing Race, Ten’s MasterChef, Seven’s My Kitchen Rules and Nine’s The Voice.

In documentary, Dr Sarmast’s Music School lead with five nominations including best feature length documentary and best direction while both Once Upon A Time in Cabramatta and Go Back To Where You Came From have been nominated for best documentary series.